Set Of 12 French Louis Xvi Painted & Caned Antique Dining Chairs, Circa 1880

An elegant suite of twelve French dining chairs in the Louis XVI manner, crafted in carved and painted wood and preserving their original blue painted surface. Both the seat backs and seats are caned. Each chair features a carved bow motif at the crest of the backrest, while finely carved rosettes decorate the tops of the legs and the central area beneath the seat. Subtle gilded accents enrich the surface, and the ensemble displays a beautiful, naturally developed patina. The caned backs and seats are enhanced with a painted lozenge pattern, and every chair is accompanied by its own squab cushion.

These French Louis XVI style chairs from the late 19th century embody the refined neoclassical revival of the period. Their oval backs, shaped seats, and slender tapered legs create a balanced and timeless silhouette. Detailed hand-carved ornamentation distinguishes the set: spiral ribbon carvings run along the apron, while rosettes appear on the front plinth blocks above the square tapered legs. The backrests are further embellished with carved laurel wreaths surrounding the oval frame and additional decorative carving at the crest. The original caning in the backs remains intact.

The blue painted finish has naturally aged to a gently distressed appearance, revealing layers of the undercoat and producing a particularly appealing “shabby chic” character. Circa 1880. It is likely that two of the chairs were produced slightly later than the others. The seat height measures 45 cm.